PARODY ON "who CAN TELL?" 13I 



and unwelcome guests, when he hunted from Stackley in 

 the sixties. He was as hard as nails and as brave as a lion. 

 An admirable portrait and biography of him appeared in 

 Baily's iMagazine of January 1907, but I can't refrain from 

 relating one anecdote of him, which I don't think has ever 

 been printed. There was a dear old fellow named 

 Markham, who hunted for many years from Melton. In 

 the latter days of his life, his brain was not quite what it 

 once was, and he not infrequently approached strangers 

 who were unaware of his infirmity. He selected ' Jonas ' 

 Hunt one day for an * interview.' 



" I don't know whether you're aware of it, Sir, but this 

 horse I'm riding is by Plenipotentiary." 



"And who the are you by"? responded Jonas. 



That ended the conversation ! 



One of quite the cheeriest, and cleverest followers of 

 Mr. Tailby's hounds, was the late Lord Rosslyn. He was 

 also a poet of more than ordinary ability, and some verses 

 written in 1867, about the Quorn, were generally attributed 

 to his cynical pen. They are parodied on the well known 

 song, * Who can tell,' and may be unknown to some of 

 your readers, so here they are : — 



When will the Marquis come ? Who can tell — 



Half-past twelve, or half-past one ? Who can tell — 



Is he sober, is he drunk ? Nipping like Myn heer von Dunk ? 



Will he ride, or will he funk ? Who can tell ? 



Shall we have to wait again ? Who can tell — 



In the wind and in the rain ? Who can tell — 



While the Marquis, snug and warm, in the hall where toadies 



Leaves us to the pelting storm ? Who can tell ? [swarm, 



Where'll he draw by way of lark ? Who can tell — 

 Gartree Hill or Bradgate Park ? Who can tell — 

 Sport regarding as a jest, which will suit his fancy best, 

 North or south, or east or west ? Who can tell ? 

 Where, oh where, rings Tailby's horn ? Who can tell — 

 Why came I with this cursed Ouorn ? Who can tell — 

 Marquis, this is not a race ; can you look us in the face. 

 And declare you like the chase ? W^ho can tell ? 



